Community Power
Giving Hanover Citizens Choice on Their Power Source
What is Community Power?
Community Power is a way to purchase electric power that is more renewable than and price competitive with that offered by regulated utilities, while also providing the community with control.
Background. Until May 2023, most of us in Hanover bought our electricity from Liberty Utilities at its set rate.* The law allowed us to buy from another electricity supplier, with delivery by Liberty. However, few consumers did because the marketplace is constantly changing and, therefore, confusing. The majority of us went along with the power that Liberty offered, regardless of price and renewable energy content.
Community Power. Signed into law in 2019, NH RSA 53-E allows communities to aggregate, or bundle, the local demand for electricity and buy supply to meet that demand. The statute allows any town or group of towns and cities to replace the utility company as the “default supplier.” This is called community power.
Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire. Soon after this aggregation law passed, Hanover joined with other NH towns and played a critical role in creating a nonprofit called the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH). Incorporated in October 2021, CPCNH was created to assist member municipalities in launching community power programs. It helps members by contracting for power, developing projects and programs, educating and engaging the public, and advocating at the NH Legislature and Public Utilities Commission.
*This information also applies to the very few in Hanover who buy electricity through Eversource at its set rate (approximately 20 households). It is relevant, but less so, for customers buying electricity through the NH Electric COOP (approximately 80 households). The big difference is that NH Electric COOP customers are NOT automatically enrolled into HCP as explained below. They have to opt-in in order to participate.
Hanover Community Power
Hanover was in the first wave of CPCNH towns that launched their community power programs in late April 2023.
With the support of CPCNH, Town staff and the Hanover Electrical Aggregation Committee prepared a plan for Hanover Community Power (HCP). This plan was approved first by the Selectboard and then by residents at the 2021 Town meeting.
Customers now have the option of choosing their SUPPLY of electricity from a menu offering different levels of renewable energy content at different prices. Their current utility continues to DELIVER electricity as well as take care of transmission and any power outages that may arise. This utility also continues to send monthly bills which include HCP charges.
Current Electric Rates
When the utilities change their electric rates, as they currently do at six month intervals, Hanover Community Power (HCP) may also adjust its offerings. For the most current rates, go here.
If you have questions, email Sustainable Hanover.
Our HCP DEFAULT option - Granite Plus - provides more renewable content than what is available through Liberty's or Eversource’s default supply. In addition, HCP prices are competitive.
Customers of Liberty or Eversource who get their SUPPLY of electricity through another third party and customers of NH Electric Cooperative will continue to remain on these supply services unless they choose to join HCP on an opt-in basis.
Those who are on net metering or time of use plans will still not be enrolled at this time. Please go to this special Net Metering FAQ for more information.
The most up-to-date information for net metered customers can be found in Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Why Community Power?
Many of us in Hanover want to lower our carbon footprint. In fact, a record number of residents turned out at our 2017 Town meeting and voted unanimously to adopt the town-wide goals of using 100% renewable electricity by 2030 followed by 100% renewable heat, cooling, and transportation by 2050. The Town is using the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) definition of renewables to guide its efforts.
Since 2017, Hanover town government has installed enough solar panels to generate power nearly equal to the amount it consumes. As of 2025, some 350 Hanover homes are getting electricity generated by locally-installed solar. Still, until May of 2023 most electricity users relied on Liberty’s single option regardless of price and renewable energy content.
As defined by NH RSA 362-F, investor-owned utilities, including Liberty and Eversource, must offer electricity that includes a minimum amount of power generated from renewable energy sources. The Renewable Portfolio Standard is 25.2% for 2026.
About 95% of Hanover Community Power’s customers are enrolled to receive 33, 50, or 100 percent renewables as defined by the State’s Renewable Portfolio Standards or better, which significantly exceeds the amount of renewables mandated for the utilities. At present, renewable content is provided through Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs). (To learn more about RECs, check out this short video from the EPA.) Over time, HCP intends to purchase directly from and invest in sources of renewable energy that prioritize local projects and meet criteria endorsed by the EPA.
HCP will be transformative in helping the entire Town reach its 2030 goal of purchasing or generating enough renewable electricity to offset 100% of the power it consumes. This depends on each of us choosing the highest level of renewables, while the Community Power Coalition of New Hampshire (CPCNH) works to secure the best possible rates.
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Renewable Energy
Hanover Community Power (HCP) will be transformative in helping the entire Town reach its 2030 goal of purchasing or generating enough renewable electricity to equal the power it consumes. Doing so will depend on each of us choosing the highest level of renewables.
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Local Control, Community Governance
Hanover has a voice in how CPCNH is governed and wrote its own aggregation plan. It will also be able to set its own priorities regarding its energy future.
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Consumer Choice
Community power is entirely voluntary and increases choice. With direction from CPCNH, HCP offers a menu of options with varying prices and levels of renewable energy content. Consumers have the power to select the option that best fits their values. Furthermore, consumers can “opt out” of HCP to take their utility’s supply or sign up with a third party supplier.
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Rate Stability
CPCNH buys energy in a portfolio of short and long-term contracts to protect consumers from extreme price fluctuations that are avoidable. It closely monitors ever-changing energy markets to hedge against volatile prices and take advantage of opportunities to save.
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Competitive Pricing
Through CPCNH, HCP is in a position to purchase in bulk to get more competitive prices. In collaboration with CPCNH’s Risk Management Committee which works with specialists in load management and energy markets, HCP uses market strategies to procure electricity at the best terms for the Hanover community. Privately owned utilities must consider the financial interest of their investors when setting rates.
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Energy Innovation
Either in collaboration with CPCNH or independently, HCP seeks to create innovative programs for its customers. These could include expanded energy efficiency offerings, time-of-use rates, and battery storage incentives. HCP also seeks to invest in community scale renewable energy and storage projects.
Ready? Here's What to Do.
For those of you who have been waiting to access more renewable electricity, this is your chance!
We hope that you select the highest level of renewables to lower your carbon footprint and help our community meet its renewable energy goals.
Opt Up!
As HCP rates change over time, customers will remain in the HCP option that they previously selected. Most Hanover customers are enrolled in HCP’s DEFAULT plan, i.e. Granite Plus.
We urge Granite Plus customers to OPT UP to the highest level of renewable energy content — Clean 100.
To opt up to higher levels of renewable electricity,go to theCPCNH/HCP website. Scroll down to the section labeled ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CHOICES, provide the information requested, and choose Clean 100.
You may also choose to opt down to the lowest level of renewable energy content or opt out to take your utility’s supply or that of another third party.
If you have questions, email Sustainable Hanover.
Did it? Celebrate!
CONGRATULATIONS ON CHOOSING COMMUNITY POWER!!!
Along with many others, you are actively participating in Hanover Community Power, a vehicle through which Hanover can set its own priorities regarding its energy future. This will be transformational in helping Hanover meet its 100% renewable energy goals. Congratulations!